KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 20): The FBM KLCI appeared poised to end the week on a subdued note, tracking regional markets, as it dipped 0.19% at the midday break Friday.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI shed 3.11 points to 1,592.61. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,598.27.

Losers led gainers by 269 to 233, while 500 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.09 billion shares valued at RM744.48 million.

The losers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Time dotCom Bhd, Genting Plantations Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd and Hai-O Enterprise Bhd.

The actives included Inari Amertron Bhd, KNM Group Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd, Ekovest Bhd, DGB Asia Bhd and Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd.

The gainers included Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Southern Acids (M) Bhd, Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd and Pintaras Jaya Bhd.

Reuters said Asian shares snoozed near 18-month highs on Friday as trade thinned in the run-up to Christmas and investors seemed content to digest the chunky gains already made so far this month.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was a fraction firmer in early trade, having gained 1.2% for the week so far and almost 5% for the month, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI lost 3.39 points or 0.2%, to close at 1,595.72 on Thursday.

It said the index gapped lower at the start of the session but managed to rebound later, paring much of the losses, adding this shows the eagerness to close the year on a high note.

"MACD on the daily timeframe is now approaching the zero level. Note that a successful cross above the zero line may be the catalyst to push price further up.

"Hence, a retest of the 1,615-1,620 immediate resistance in the near term is very much in the cards.

"Major down trend remains. 'Window dressing' play likely to unfold in the near term," it said.